Start with Upgrade to DAC?

@zarf I think the best bang for your buck streamer, especially if you use ROON, is the Sonore OpticalRendu. I have owned about 5 or 6 of them. I sold a few to friends and setup their streaming. I currently have 2 of them with both the audiophile power supply and the much cheaper power supply from Sonore. Go for the cheaper power supply.

Since I owned the Lumin X1 I would also highly recommend the following Lumin streamer based on the X1, but this one has no DAC.

LUMIN U2 (luminmusic.com)

That and the Yggi+ OG maybe a future setup for me. It sounds different than the Sonore OpticalRendu. I call the Lumin a wild child streamer vs the refined sounding Sonore opticalRendu.

Another streamer that would be perfect if it had fibre optical, but maybe great nevertheless, could be the

ARIES S1 - AURALIC

I say potentially great because my now sold Playback Designs STREAM-IF was great using SPDIF output from an Ethernet input. The Aries S1 also takes in Ethernet unlike the Lumin and Sonore, which take in fibre.

I tended to stay away from Ethernet streaming but the Playback Designs steamer was so good using Ethernet.

BTW - I should add that the digital Leedh volume control on the Lumin is almost as good as the great volume control on the Benchmark LA4 preamp. I compared the 2 side-by-side. The difference is really a non-factor for almost everyone. Normally digital volume controls are really subpar compared to an analog preamp, especially the LA4.

@yyzsantabarbara the ask from the OP was about non-PRC units

As for the streaming service, I like convenience, so between Tidal and Qobuz, is one more convenient to use than the other?

I used to be very anti Tidal due to their higher pricing and absurd MQA requirement for hi res, but both of those things have changed so music selection may now be the biggest differentiator between the two. I will say as a Qobuz user I find their search function subpar. It works, but often I search for things I know are there and they still don’t come up — very frustrating. I’ve since learned how to work with it, but it’s an unnecessary weakness that Qobuz frustratingly seems unwilling to improve. It’s not a huge deal and overall I’m very happy with Qobuz, but I mention it because you’re asking about convenience and this is one area — along with playlists if those are important to you — that you might want to pay attention to as you compare the two.

I totally respect your rationale for wanting to avoid PRC products, and I think you’re on the right track with the Zen Mk3 especially if easily ripping CDs is important, and you’re also getting their excellent Sense app and customer service that are very significant pluses. And of course sound quality is among the best in your price range. Hope this helps, and best of luck. If you do get the Innuos I’d be very interested in your thoughts as I’ve also got a Zen Stream and am also strongly considering the Zen Mk3 as an upgrade.

@mike4597 

Yeah, sorry for pyrotechnics. several of us obviously have a history that can get in the way of helpful feedback.  Here’s an interesting take on streamers in the context of their functioning as DDCs, which I hadn’t really thought of before (though it is obvious).  Anyway, this guy does some pretty good work trying to marry subjective and objective.  More importantly, you might find his voice less annoying than mine, lol!  Good luck in your journey:

DDCs/Streamers

@mike4597 

oh, and on your specific request re other streamers at or below your budget (full disclosure, of my 5 current streamers, 2 are the Zen Stream and the S2 Ultra): Other units I’ve considered in the $1000 or under price point include Primare N2 Prisma, Holo Red, and Volumio Rivo.  And as others have heard ad nauseum, I’m a huge fan of the streamer reviews on HiFi News, particularly the lab reports section to give insight into what you’re getting, or not, as you climb the $ tree.  (No other print or on-line review source has reviewed as many streamers as they have, so it’s a great resource.)